Automobilclub Rostiges Kreuz

Posted on August 4th, 2016

04

Aug 2016

Automobilclub Rostiges Kreuz

"This Car Club was founded in 2010 as a community of interest by a few friends, became an official club in 2014, and currently has 15 members. The goal was never to perfectly restore cars or motorbikes, but to have fun with like-minded people. To what extent a member fixes his or her vehicle is up to them and their decision is not frowned upon by the others. Their fleet of cars consists of mostly european models and their year of production ranges from 1948 to the present.
To sum up, the „Rusty Crossers“ are just a bunch of friends, who don't mind getting their hands dirty, doing the things they enjoy, angle-grinding rust and burning fuel.

What car comes to mind when you plan to participate in a 24-hour endurance-race on a half asphalt, half dirt circuit?
Probably not a heavy 1980s Jaguar XJ-40. But nevertheless the boys and girls from „Automobilclub Rostiges Kreuz“, which direclty translates to „CarClub Rusty Cross“, did it anyway.
But let's start at the beginning. The initially red Jag was bought in November 2015 as nothing more than an organ donor for another XJ-40, since its whole left side was mangled in 1994 and it was then left on the side of the road.
Then in January 2016 at the annual club meeting and after a few beers, someone came up with the idea to start in the 24h race in Fuglau. Some possibilities were considered, some decisions made, and voilà, due to lack of alternatives, the Jag was chosen, and preparations began immediately.
The 200hp engine was still in good condition since it only had a few kilometers on the clock, and was running smoothly after the usual parts and fluids were changed. The next chapter was the badly dented left rear fender, which ended at the middle of the tyre. But with some elbow grease, time, a bunch load of filler and the cheapest paintjob possible, the old Jaguar shone in new grey colored glory.
For safety reasons a DIY „roll-cage“, made of ceiling props, and for comfort reasons a big soundsystem were installed. After all, it is a long race, and the drivers need some entertainment.
Fast forward to June 17th 2016 4pm. The start signal was given and the grey Jaguar was off. Contraty to all expectations, the racing-jag handled the demanding conditions without any major defects. Unfortunately the digital odometer lost all power at around 2am and since the travelled distance was taken directly from the cars, the Rusty Cross had to be excluded from the standing. But that didn't stop them from reaching their goal to finish the 24 hours. And after two sets of tyres, a makeshift exhaust and about 200 liters of gasoline later, the Jag crossed the finish line loud and proud. Ready for the next assignment".